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Autodesk acquires 3D Mesh Software Provider PointFuse
Autodesk has acquired core IP and technology from PointFuse, a software solution for creating 3D meshes from reality capture scans for architecture, MEP, and civil infrastructure.
This month, Autodesk has purchased certain PointFuse Intellectual Property (IP) and commercially available offerings, and announced plans to integrate this technology into the Autodesk portfolio where it will be used to drive forward a future scan-to-BIM workflow.
In a LinkedIn post, Autodesk product manager Ramesh Sridharan announced the PointFuse acquisition in a personal statement, stating that PointFuse’s technology, combined with Autodesk’s current reality solutions offering ReCap Pro, will “revolutionize” how BIM models will be generated from complex laser scanning data. He said the acquisition is a “game-changer for successful building renovation, sustainability, manufacturing, and other projects”. He expects that through this acquisition, Autodesk is taking a giant leap towards delivering an amazing workflow to customers across the Autodesk portfolio.
What is PointFuse?
PointFuse is a software company from Maidenhead, Birkshire (UK). PointFuse softtware converts point cloud data into segmented 3D mesh models, which today are an essential part of an integrated workflow utilizing reality capture data to facilitate better decision- making across projects and industries.
Image via Autodesk
PointFuse software converts reality capture data into segmented meshes, automating the creation of digital assets. A segmented mesh model is a mesh where the asset or the objects can be easily selected, classified and grouped, switched on and off and ultimately exported in an onward workflow. These meshes are lightweight and are more easily interpreted than a point cloud.
PointFuse enables the creation of a mesh by using preset settings targeted at the main types of laser scanning (handheld, wearable, or terrestrial laser scanners). Once created, the mesh can be exported to a variety of workflows for visualizations or further worked on inside PointFuse to create a classification.
More detailed info on the PointFuse acquisition for existing PointFuse users
Because the PointFuse technology will be integrated into the Autodesk portfolio, PointFuse software as a standalone application will cease to exist on May 1, 2025. PointFuse has extended active subscriptions to expire next year to ensure that users can continue to use PointFuse software. Autodesk will provide additional details on how to change over to their portfolio, once the technology has migrated to Autodesk. More info on the acquisition and what this means for existing PointFuse licenses is available in a FAQ here.
Eric van Rees started his freelancing career in 2016. Since then, he has provided content to geospatial companies all over the world, including Trimble, Hexagon, SOAR and TravelTime. His articles have been featured in various geospatial magazines and blogs. He also publishes GIS tutorials for Python developers and is co-author of the book "Mastering Geospatial Analysis with Python" (Packt Publishing). www.ericvanrees.com
